Skin Wrinkle Treatment

Each skin wrinkle treatment is different according to the many different types of skin. There are simple home remedies, organic products, over the counter cosmetic products, doctor-prescribed wrinkle treatment products, and dermatological procedures. To choose the best wrinkle treatment for your skin, you must first understand your type of skin in addition to what causes wrinkles to form.

Cause of Wrinkles

The primary cause of wrinkles is age, which is unavoidable. Skin is an organ, just as your heart and lungs are organs inside your body - it just happens to be on the outside. As we age, our skin and other organs slowly begin to lose function, or do not perform as well as they did when we were younger. The skin loses the ability to regenerate tissue, loses elasticity and collagen.

The dermis, or inner layer of skin, sits on top of adipose (fat) cells. The adipose cells slowly lose function as we age, getting thinner. The dermis also gets thinner with age. Essentially your skin loses weight, which causes the skin to droop and sag. The sag and droop can sneak up on you and eventually will become wrinkles.

Other major contributors or causes of wrinkles are sun, smoking, poor diet, pollution, quick weight loss, and recurring muscle contractions in the face. An example of the muscle movements that contribute to skin wrinkles is frequent eye squinting, which causes crow's feet.

Different Kinds of Wrinkles

Wrinkles have visibly different characteristics; some are deep and grooved, some are thin and fine, some radiate like crow's feet, some are droopy, and some are webby. The type of wrinkles you have can determine the skin wrinkle treatment you choose.

Choosing a skin wrinkle treatment based on your type of wrinkles is more effective than choosing any old product off the shelf. If you have deep wrinkles, a product or treatment designed for thin and fine wrinkles will not provide much benefit. Read the ingredients and product labels carefully to find the best skin wrinkle treatment.

Skin Type

Your skin type can also affect the skin wrinkle treatment you choose. Dry skin requires a product with high moisturizer content, which can be 'heavy', and used several times throughout the day. Oily skin needs a 'lighter' product, and combination skin (oily and dry) may get better results with a 'medium' weight product.

Skin Color

Skin color is another consideration for skin treatment. Darker skin tones generally do not wrinkle as much as lighter skin tones as we age. Darker skin tones are more resilient and retain elasticity longer than lighter skin tones, but are also more sensitive to chemicals and active ingredients.

For Thin Wrinkles

For thin, fine and radiating wrinkles, some over the counter products containing active ingredients like Coenzyme Q10, Retinol, or Alpha hydroxy acids* will do the trick. Always use a good moisturizer on a regular basis, not just when your skin feels dry. Keep in mind that over the counter wrinkle treatments only work as long as you keep using them.

For Deeper Wrinkles

For deeper wrinkles, an over the counter product may not have the results you desire. Readily available skin wrinkle treatments contain the ingredients mentioned above, but in small quantities that may not be strong enough to reduce deep wrinkles.

Very saggy and deep or grooved wrinkles may only respond to professional skin wrinkle treatment by a dermatologist. A qualified dermatologist can help you determine the best treatment for your skin. This may include prescription anti-wrinkle creams that contain higher concentrations of Retinol or other active ingredients.

Dermatologists may also recommend various procedures to reduce wrinkles dramatically. Some examples are:

Chemical peel - using caustic chemicals to remove the top layers of skin

Skin resurfacing - performed using laser or plasma to remove layers of skin

Home treatments for wrinkles fall into two categories, in-home treatments and home remedies. In-home treatments can include milder forms of a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. If used improperly, in-home treatments can be a safety concern, be sure to read and follow the directions.

Home remedies can be safer but may not be as effective. Examples of home remedies are egg whites, pineapple juice or castor oil applied to the wrinkled skin.

There are additional options to reduce wrinkles, and slow the appearance of wrinkles as you age. Minimize exposure to the sun, and use sunscreen when you are outside. Quit smoking. A healthy diet containing vitamins A, B, and E can also help your skin fight off wrinkles and the effects of sun and age. To mitigate the effects of pollution, a good daily cleansing and moisturizing routine can help.

To choose the best skin wrinkle treatment for you, do some research and talk to a dermatologist.

* Caution: Some people experience side effects from active ingredients like Alpha hydroxy acid, such as rash or other skin irritation.